WSU vs. UH

Comparable Facts

Compare Wichita State University in Wichita, KS with University of Houston in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Houston is larger than WSU based on total student enrollment (47,980 students vs. 16,689 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wichita State University is located in Wichita, KS (Large City setting); University of Houston is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Wichita State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wichita State University 19:1; University of Houston 22:1.

WSU vs. UH Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSU or UH? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wichita State University than UH ($14,228 vs. $14,309).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston are 9.1% lower than at Wichita State University ($11,286 vs. $12,420).
• University of Houston is 0.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $33 more per year; $9,717.00 vs. $9,684.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.5% higher at UH than at Wichita State University (about $2,678 more per year; $22,547.00 vs. $19,869.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wichita State University than at University of Houston (89% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston students is 49.6% larger than aid received by Wichita State University students ($12,159 vs. $8,125).

WSU vs. UH Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WSU or UH? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UH and WSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston (1250) is 180 points higher than at WSU (1070).
• Incoming UH students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at WSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wichita State University 905/1240; University of Houston 1160/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wichita State University 17/25; University of Houston 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSU - Test optional; UH - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UH May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WSU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at UH (3.46).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than UH (73.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at WSU vs. 26.5% at UH.

WSU vs. UH Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSU and UH? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Houston's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Wichita State University's (43%).
• Graduates from University of Houston earn a median of about $15,200 more per year than WSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $43,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than WSU graduates ($19,750 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, UH graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSU graduates ($204 vs. $211).
• More UH graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 55%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.